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Predator Protection Plan The Predator Protection Plan is designed to develop sustainable systems to address the issues that are attributable to human conflict Operations include several functions: • Liaison with landowners and provincial authorities • Inspection of livestock losses to establish the identity or nature of the loss. • Inspection reporting to compensation insurers • Predator Research and data capture • Development of sustainable predator protection policies • Capture and collar of leopards and other predators to enable online tracking and analysis. Operations are focused on Defined Priority Areas (DPA) where there is human conflict with predators and where there is good cause to concentrate efforts to protect the resident predator population. Mission Statement: Protection and conservation of South Africa’s wild predator population by implementing protective measures devised though scientific research. PPP Operational Goals and Objectives: Goal - To develop a network of trained specialists working throughout South Africa conducting research and implementing protective measures. Objective - To develop pragmatic systems, to enable the implementation of research results and to implement these systems in each province of South Africa. Project Needs ANATOLIAN GUARD DOG LIVESTOCK PROTECTION PROGRAM Following consultation with the Endangered Wildlife Trust a proposal has been received to assist EWT with the Anatolian guard dog project. This project places guard dogs with livestock farmers and has proved to be very successful over the last three years, each dog is capable of protecting up to 400 head of livestock (sheep or cattle) in most terrains. Our aim is to provide a trainee to work and train alongside EWT for a period of six months and thereafter to run a series of guard dogs. Once a dog has been placed with a livestock farmer there is an ongoing process of support to the farmer and monthly farm visits to ensure the dog is faring well. Dog food and veterinary support is provided under exiting sponsorship schemes for the first six months. Our intention is to provide an operative with vehicle and fuel allowance and head the PPP guard dog program in association with EWT. The Turkish Anatolian was bred to protect livestock from bears and wolves, has a history of over 6,000 years in the arid Anatolian Plateau region of Turkey, an area of little rain, extreme heat in summer and cold in winter, much like parts of southern Africa. Anatolian shepherds have a medium-length coat and coarse, light-coloured hair that allows for effective cooling of the body while maintaining an insulation factor. These dogs are physically imposing; males are normally 60+ cm at the shoulder and weigh 70-75 kg. They can reach a top speed of 75 km/h and go days with minimal food and water when necessary The amazing ability of Anatolians to protect livestock stems not only from their physical attributes—size, strength, good eyesight, sharp hearing and excellent sense of smell—but from their familiarity with and dedication to their charges. Puppies are raised with the herd from 6-8 weeks of age and instinctively bond with the livestock they are kept with. They are calm, confident dogs that continually stay with the herd and are very sensitive to changes in normal herd behaviour or routine. Anatolians will investigate and aggressively confront any intruders or threats to the herd. These dogs are not dependent on their masters for affection or direction, and are capable of making independent decisions. Anatolians possess the three main behaviour traits that an effective livestock guarding dog must have: trustworthiness, attentiveness and protectiveness. This project provides huge scope to address the very reasons that the PPP was formed at a very low cost per head protected. FARMERS BOOKLET Following consultation with EWT, it has been suggested that the PPP engages directly with farmers by providing the funds and distribution costs to re-print a booklet which provides information, guidance and advice as to how to farm successfully alongside predators. This booklet has already been written and previously distributed by the EWT with great success in KZN however that program has lapsed due to a lack of funding. This booklet provides and immediate and effective method to engage with farmers in every province. In addition it provides a low cost opportunity for the PPP to justify countrywide fund raising by providing a resource in each province. Distribution would be via provincial authorities and livestock associations. Many farmers are resistant to change, since they have grown up learning from and following the ways of their fathers and grandfathers before them. Ancient myths about predators are passed from generation to generation, and old trapping methods are passed on, without due consideration of new technology or circumstances that have changed over time. The livestock farmer who experiences problems with predators frequently has to face the dilemma of whether to kill or to conserve. In his efforts to control, the farmer often inadvertently kills the wrong culprit, unaware of the fact that many of these creatures are not enemies but friends; and in so doing, he skews the natural balances and forces at play. This booklet is a valuable source of information that turns old beliefs upside down and looks at the issue of wildlife conflicts with new vision, highlighting that prevention is the cure. The book will assist the farmer in recognizing and managing wildlife conflict and will also illustrate the value of all species and their environmental roles on farms. The PPP recognises that farmers are major role-players in conservation since they own vast tracts of land. The PPP is committed to encouraging them to practice environmental conservation on farmlands. Through knowledge comes understanding and this understanding of life and of our environment is important to all. In fact, it’s so important to us that it is enshrined in our Constitution. |
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